UK's Royal Navy Test Fires New Sea Ceptor Missile

Britain’s Royal Navy successfully conducted firing trials of the new Sea Ceptor air defence system on board HMS Argyll.

During the firings the system was first tested against single aerial targets. This was then followed by 'more demanding tests', including a single target engaged by two missiles and a twin firing.

An installation test firing from HMS Westminster, the second ship fitted with Sea Ceptor, took place in November, with each of the Type 23 ships due to carry out installation test firings in due course.

The Sea Ceptor is a sea-based supersonic missile defence system with the capability to intercept combat aircraft and missiles moving at supersonic speeds and neutralise them. It protects the host ship as well as the surrounding installations.

The system uses the new UK-developed Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM). The missile is capable of reaching extraordinary speeds of up to three times the speed of sound.

Sea Ceptor can respond to saturating attacks with its multiple channels of fire. It can protect an area of 1,300km² over land and sea. It will be deployed on Type 26 combat ships when they replace the Type 23 frigates in 2020.

HMS Argyll is due to deploy to Japan next year while other Type 23, HMS Sutherland is due to deploy to Australia.